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Out on the Town, Private, Student Life

The art of brewing better coffee: An education in third wave coffee culture at Dispatch Cafe

by Flaminia Cooper on

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According to the Coffee Association of Canada, in 2016, over 58 per cent of Canadians aged 18-24 drank coffee on a daily basis, a number that grows every year. It is clear that coffee has become a staple of Montreal life; from the famous Tim Hortons to the lesser-known independent coffee shops in the Plateau, there seems to be a never-ending choice of places to get that daily caffeine boost. However, this makes it difficult for third-wave coffee companies to stand out among the crowd.

‘Third-wave coffee’ is a movement based on the idea that coffee is more than just a commodity. For those who follow its tenants, all stages of production, from the growing to the brewing of coffee beans, are done meticulously. There is often a focus on the experience of coffee drinking itself, and as such, many baristas put effort into other drink elements, such as latte art and alternative brewing methods.

To support this love of coffee, the beloved Montreal-based Dispatch Coffee has begun offering free workshops at its new location in the Plateau on Rue St-Laurent and Avenue Duluth. These workshops give customers the opportunity to discover where their coffee comes from and to learn new brewing methods.

FlaminiaCooper_Dispatch_online2

Every Thursday from 4-7 p.m., the Director of Coffee at Dispatch, Chris Durning, introduces attendees to a different brewing method. The most recent demonstration on Feb. 2 focused on the V60 pour-over method. A funnel-shaped device filled with freshly ground coffee is placed over a cup, then water is poured over the top in concentric circles so that it filters evenly into the cup below.

There is a significant amount of chemistry involved in the brewing process. The balance of acidity, sweetness, and bitterness of a cup can be significantly altered depending on how it is brewed, and finding the ideal ratio is a detailed process. Specific aspects of coffee making—such as the temperature of the water, how fine the coffee has been ground, and the ratio of coffee to water in the brew—can be the difference between a good cup of coffee and a bad one.

“I always like to say making coffee is like making a cocktail, you’re trying to balance all of these flavours,” Durning said.

Dispatch works exclusively with high quality ethically-sourced coffee from all over the world, and each kind is chosen for its unique blend of scents. The Rwandan Kanzu coffee sold by Dispatch is described as ‘sweet and comforting,’ while the Peruvian Amaybamba coffee beans are also fairly sweet, but have hints of deeper chocolate and nutty aromas. Durning invites workshop observers to taste the freshly brewed coffee, helping them to identify these subtle, distinct smells during his demonstrations.

These beans, roasted in Montreal, are light-roasted to retain as many nutrients as possible and preserve their high quality and complex flavours. The effort of roasting the coffee locally clearly shows the care and expertise that Dispatch puts into their products. This is also reflected in the free workshops, which go above and beyond to improve the customer experience. 

At the end of the workshop, Durning also hands out recipe cards with specific instructions on how to replicate the brewing methods at home.

“By giving you recipes that we’re actually roasting for, it’s making sure you’re in the ballpark already,” Durning said. “Then, by teaching you how to manipulate the flavour, you can adjust it so that it tastes perfect and you’re wasting less coffee. That’s the biggest thing for us.”

Though there are many secrets to brewing the perfect cup of coffee, Dispatch provides an easy and enjoyable avenue to understand the fundamentals. Durning’s workshops make the complex world of coffee brewing more accessible—plus, the free coffee makes the educational experience all the more gratifying.

A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Chris Durning is Head Roaster at Dispatch, and that Dispatch exclusively sells fair trade coffee. In fact, Chris Durning is Director of Coffee at Dispatch, and Dispatch sells exclusively ethically-sourced coffee, though not all of this is fair trade. The Tribune regrets these errors. 

Off the Board, Opinion, Private

Why you should clap at the movies

by Noah Sutton on

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Have you ever walked out of a movie in which the audience clapped raucously as the credits rolled, only to have your friend turn to you and ask, “What’s the point of clapping? It’s not like the cast or crew can hear the applause anyway.” If you’re anything like me, you’d respond to this comment by muttering “what a fucking twat.” To be honest, I can’t remember the last time I’ve heard clapping after a movie. A quick Google search confirms that this idea is commonplace, but not that it happens all that often. “Do people in the U.S. really clap after movies?” asks a confused Redditor, while angry internet bloggers echo the same sentiment my make-believe friend said above: Why clap at a movie when the people supposedly receiving the symbol of appreciation are unable to hear it? The answer is simple: Clapping is far more than showing appreciation, it’s an expression of emotion shared by everybody in the theatre–a recognition of the shared experience of the film.

At the theatre, applause and standing ovations show appreciation to the cast and crew who stand on stage and bow accordingly. If the only use of applause is to convey appreciation, then clapping after a movie is pointless. But applause is not a solely outward gesture, like the obligatory head nod to a vague acquaintance you pass on campus. Standing ovations spread through a theatre, one person stands, then another, and another. The gesture of appreciative applause is more emanating than transmissive—the audience, cast, and crew walks away feeling like they are part of something larger than themselves, and clapping in unison as a group confirms it. While theatres and cinemas are typically quiet affairs, sports events offer a magnified example of cheering to show group identity. When someone yells out, “Are you blind, ref?” it would be remarkable if the referee turned around and actually responded, “Why yes, I forgot to put my contacts on this morning and I’ve just been bullshitting this entire game!” Comments like these aren’t meant as literal advice for the referee, but as a gesture of solidarity with fellow fans upset by the call. Applause and questions like that are entirely rhetorical in nature, they affirm the obvious: “That was a great film,” or “that was a bad call.”

 

Clapping is far more than showing appreciation, it’s an expression of emotion shared by everybody in the theatre–a recognition of the shared experience of the film.

It isn’t surprising, then, that most of the films people report clapping at are films with strong cult fan bases. The Lord of the Rings movies, Star Wars and The Dark Knight series are all hotbeds for post-movie applause. While the “group” isn’t as identifiable without the colour-coded apparel of a sports game, the message is clear: “Pretty good movie, eh?”

Movie theatres are odd social spaces. One sits in a room with several dozen strangers, entirely in silence. Additionally, film as a genre is moving toward greater viewer immersion. The expansion of 3D and VR draws viewers into the film itself and away from the theatre environment. Increasing viewer participation has been tried and discarded with the failed idea of smell-o-vision (Rugrats Go Wild 2003). But stalwarts of extreme audience participation have continued with screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, in which audience members go so far as to bring props and dress up as characters in the movie. This would be excessive to do for every movie, but watching a film is a shared emotional experience—people resonate with the emotions of others. Laughter with a group is always louder than laughing alone—this is the lasting power of the cinema. Of course, there’s a line—one should not jeer constantly, standard rules of etiquette still apply. But if by the end of the film one feels like letting off some applause, give it a go and see how many people feel the same.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noah Sutton is a multimedia editor at the McGill Tribune

 

@mcgilltribop |

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Editorial, Opinion

Disrupting mourning students is no way to protest Trump

by McGill Tribune Editorial Board on

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On Feb. 1, the McGill International Student Network (MISN) held a rally entitled “United We Stand #NoHate” in order to “reflect [MISN’s] support for the Muslim community” in light of the troubling “recent events” around the world. The event was widely understood as a reaction to the Trump administration’s travel ban against Muslim countries and to the recent terrorist attack against a mosque in Quebec City, in which a gunman killed six Muslim men—Azzeddine Soufiane, Abdelkrim Hassane, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Ibrahima Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, and Boubaker Thabti—while they were praying.

Some students criticized the rally for taking an apolitical stance, as it pitched itself as an inclusive event and explicitly stated that Trump supporters were able to participate. McGill Against Austerity organized a counter-protest, called “Make Racists Afraid Again,” which took place simultaneously and claimed the initial demonstration was “cowardly” because of its apolitical stance and refusal to explicitly condemn Trump. The afternoon of the event, the “Make Racists Afraid Again” protesters proceeded down to the “United We Stand” rally unfolding at the Y-intersection, interrupted the speech of a McGill student and Syrian refugee, and verbally confronted participants.

While taking an overt or directed political stance is an essential aspect of protest, the decision of “Make Racists Afraid Again” to interrupt the “United We Stand” rally was disrespectful, ineffective, and morally reprehensible. Taking a stance against Islamaphobia, xenophobia, and other forms of bigotry is crucial; however, it must be done with consideration of those who are most vulnerable. 

 

Protestors can always keep in mind their anger and their political convictions, but when someone is grieving, they must be afforded that opportunity without interruption.

The events of the past week have been deeply disturbing, and McGill students may be experiencing a range of emotional responses to news from the United States and Quebec City. Some may be angered or frustrated, while others may wish to express solidarity and compassion for those affected. All of these sentiments are valid. However, condemning the desire of some students to show love and support to the Muslim community, instead of hate for those who have harmed it, is unacceptable. 

Some Muslim students from countries targeted by Trump’s ban were present at the “United We Stand” event, and voiced their appreciation for the show of solidarity. In condemning the solidarity demonstration, “Make Racists Afraid Again” showed disregard for the needs of individuals most affected by recent events. Those who have the privilege to speak out without fear of harm are needed in the fight against those who target marginalized groups. In doing so, students must be diligent that their voices do not speak over those they wish to support. 

The affected individuals in this case sought not only to express solidarity in the face of adversity, but to mourn the tragedy in Quebec City. Lost in the debate over opposing Trump was the need to remember the victims of the recent shooting. Protesters can hold onto their anger and their political convictions, but those grieving must be afforded the opportunity to do so in their own way. It is inexcusable that neither the organizers of the counter-protest, such as McGill Against Austerity, nor its participants, including Students’ Society of McGill University Vice-President External David Aird, demonstrated this sensitivity.

Not only was this counter-protest insensitive, it undermined the message behind both demonstrations. The counter-protest purported to “make racists afraid,” yet the only people it succeeded in frightening were those at the “United We Stand” rally. In effect, the “Make Racists Afraid Again” protesters mistook “United We Stand’s” alternate priority for cowardice.  Furthermore, the haphazard way the counter-protest was organized and carried out made its message unclear and misdirected. This needless conflict between the protests overshadowed the central message of both rallies: That McGillians simultaneously stand with the Muslim community, and against those who would do it harm.

 

 

 

 

@mcgilltribop |

 

 
Out on the Town, Private, Student Life

Prioritizing safety: ‘Guardian angel’ policies being implemented in Montreal bars

by Ella Benedetti on

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In cafe-bar Casa del Popolo, one might notice signs, printed in both French and English, that read, “If you feel unsafe in any way, don’t hesitate to talk to your bartender.”  In the bathrooms, these signs are hard to miss; one is placed above the mirror, and another over the toilet. A more detailed explanation of its non-violence policy is posted below the mirror. 

Xarah Dion, staff member for seven years, still vividly remembers the night two years ago when a customer was being choked by her date right inside Casa del Popolo. This attack was a game-changer for the staff at the Mile End establishment. 

“[The staff] decided enough was enough,” Dion said. Since the incident, Casa del Popolo has instituted an attitude of zero tolerance toward violence, and is taking measures to ensure that its staff are able to appropriately handle unsafe situations when they arise. In the coming months, Casa del Popolo intends to engage its staff in a mandatory workshop with local Montreal non-profit organization Head & Hands to help the servers and bartenders learn more about violence and its prevention.

“It is crucial to learn how to help, it’s not enough to offer help,” Dion said. 

In the age of online dating and the explosive popularity of match-making websites and apps like Tinder and Bumble, this generation’s version of blind-dating has reshaped traditional dating culture. For many people, the first date entails meeting someone for the first time, with very little background information. Although blind dating can greatly expand one’s dating pool, it can come with safety risks. Moreover, the alcohol-fuelled environment of a bar can make customers more vulnerable to unsafe interactions. Though there are a plethora of unknowns with each bar visit, having bar staff as a source of protection is a comfort to customers.

Initiatives like the one at Casa del Popolo are popping up in bars across Canada and around the world. Most are inspired by a campaign called ‘Ask for Angela,’ which allows patrons to walk up to the bar and ask for ‘Angela’ as a signal that they’re in trouble. By discreetly alerting the bartender using these code words, individuals who find themselves in a difficult situation are assisted promptly. Knowing this policy is in place can also increase the sense of security that customers feel upon entering the bar. 

The initiative was started in 2016 in England by a woman named Hayley Child. According to BBC News, the name ‘Angela,’ which Child created, is a play on the word ‘Guardian Angel.’ Last November, the campaign went viral after a poster explaining its procedure that was hung in a bar in Lincolnshire, England was retweeted over 28,000 times. Internet users across the world are voicing their approval of the idea, requesting that this initiative be implemented worldwide. 

As the campaign spreads, bars have taken on different variations of the code language to suit their needs. For example, The ‘Angel Shot’ takes this concept to the next level, by providing customers with a discreet way to request the bartender’s specialized help depending on the specific version of the shot one orders. If the customer orders the shot “neat,” the bartender knows to escort the customer to his or her vehicle; when ordering “with ice,” bartenders will call the customer an Uber or taxi ride home; and ordering “with a lime on the side” lets bartenders know to call the police.

Beyond directly improving the security of patrons, advertising these non-violence policies at bars can spark discussion among customers that creates a more safe and aware bar environment. 

“If some people find it shocking, that’s good,” Dion said. “It’s something that people should always have in mind, and some people don’t. And maybe [for] the people that feel shocked by these signs, [they have] a positive impact.”

On McGill’s campus, the ‘Ask for Angela’ concept is gaining traction, though it has yet to be implemented in any of the university’s bars or restaurants.

Tim Mapley, U3 Arts and manager of Gerts, hopes that the campus bar won’t need an ‘Ask for Angela’ policy. 

“If the McGill community felt like there was [a] need, we would likely have no problem implementing something like that,” Mapley said. “Safety of patrons is our top priority. We pride ourselves on being a safe space.” 

According to Mapley, Gerts works hard to create a safe and responsible environment with vigilant security, reliable male and female staff, and its close connections with WalkSafe and MSERT—two student-run groups that prioritize students’ safety on nights out.

Beyond the existing risks present at any bar environments, exposure to a wide array of strangers through dating apps has heightened these risks. Implementing campaigns, such as ‘Ask For Angela,’ is an effective way for bars and clubs to create safer spaces for those exploring the possibilities of the dating scene. 

For more information on the original campaign and tips to implement the “Ask for Angelia” policy visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/nomore

Montreal, News

McGill community responds to shooting at a Quebec City mosque

by Julia Metraux on

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On Jan. 29, during evening prayer at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec, a shooter killed six and injured nineteen others. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau labelled this tragedy an “act of terrorism.” The Montreal and McGill communities responded by denouncing the shooting and participating in events focusing on solidarity.

Vigils were held across Canada to remember the lives of the six victims: Azzedine Soufiane, Khaled Belkacemi, Aboubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane, Ibrahima Barry, and Mamadou Tanou Barry, according to CBC News. On Jan. 30, the “Vigil de solidarité avec les musulman-es de Québec” was held in Montreal at the Parc metro station in response to the mosque shooting.

 

Vigile de solidarité avec les musulman-es de Québec

The vigil, which translates to “vigil of solidarity with the Muslims of Quebec,” aimed to stand up to hatred and support those who feel affected by anti-Muslim actions over the past week, according to Anglo-spokesperson of the Vigil Sameer Zuberi. The event was organized by local activists Eddy Pérez, Emilie Nicolas, Dalila Awada, Benjamin Prud’homme, Rim Mohsen, and Cathy Wong.

According to Zuberi, the event was organized the night of the shooting and arranged to take place the next day to provide an immediate response and to support those who lost their loved ones.

“We hope that people get an increased sense of awareness,” Zuberi said. “People often talk about Muslims in terms of terrorism. We hope to change that.”

Starting at 6 p.m., mourners gathered on Rue Jean-Talon to pay their respects to the victims of the shooting. Eight speakers voiced their reflections, with many sharing the sentiment that people of every nationality, sexuality, and race are part of Canada and Quebec.

Maia Salameh, U0 Arts, explained that she decided to attend this event to show solidarity and mourn with Muslims not only in Canada but around the word.

“The most memorable moment for me was when we joined in saying the al-Fatihah prayer,” Salameh said. “It was striking for me because it is the beacon of my faith and the faith of my fellow brothers and sisters of Islam. To say it proudly, despite the tragedy that took place, meant to me that we are not afraid of white supremacy and racism and xenophobia and we will stand firm in our faith.”

 

McGill University’s response

On the morning of Jan. 30, Principal and Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Fortier sent an email to the McGill Community officially condemning the actions of the shooter and the Arts Building flag would be lowered to half-mast. She encouraged students and faculty who require support to reach out to various campus resources, including McGill Counselling and Mental Health Services (MCMHS) for students and the Employee Assistance Program for faculty and staff.

In an email to The McGill Tribune, Sara Parks, the director of the McGill Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (MORSL), said that although the aftermath of the shooting has been difficult for members of the McGill community, the support has a silver-lining.

“I have been heartened by how many groups and students on campus have contacted us today, wanting to show their solidarity,” Parks wrote. “Students from the United Theological Seminary and the Student Christian Movement approached me to offer peer support to ‘Muslim sisters and brothers.’ The Newman Catholic Centre and other individual McGill chaplains have either issued statements condemning the violence or have reached out in other ways to coordinate strong displays of solidarity with Muslim communities and with any communities [shaken] by recent anti-religious acts.”

Parks encourages students to speak with chaplains at MORSL, as she said that they are available to offer support regardless of one’s faith.

Features

What has McGill done for you?

by Julia Dick on

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At the outset, three or four years may seem like a long time. But by the end of a degree, students often feel anxious about what to do next. Unlike the shift from high school to university—which is, for many, a direct transition—the movement from an undergraduate degree into “whatever’s next” is marked by uncertainty. Whether at the start of undergraduate studies or at the end, it is typical for students to feel confused about their next step forward.

 

According to an article in the Atlantic published in April 2016, the current generation of students is more career-minded than its predecessors. The value of an undergraduate degree is increasingly based in its impact on a student’s starting salary; however, students often struggle to identify how their work outside the classroom complements their studies and formation as young adults. It is easy to feel defined by one’s GPA and academic accomplishments.

 

On McGill’s website, the homepage for undergraduate admissions states, “You’re bound for great things. The journey begins at McGill.” Yet many students struggle to find a path that suits them, and the pressure to succeed can feel more like a burden than an opportunity.

 

POLL

 

Mariam Hussain attended McGill for two years between 2009 and 2011 before transferring to the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD) and completing her B.A. at the University of Calgary in 2015. Her path has been neither typical nor linear, but it took her time to realize that discovering one’s path does not need to be straightforward.

 

For her, going from high school to university entailed a huge leap of self-recognition. The environment at McGill forced an immersion in an academic language that was unfamiliar to her, and led her to hold onto her idea of herself as a ‘science person’ more firmly.

 

“That’s one thing I found with McGill, because everything is so intense, and at a very high level, it’s difficult to kind of move around,” Hussain said. “Like when I was in science, I was like very in science, your friend group revolves around that, your schedule, your labs, you just kind of build your network.”

 

When she attended ACAD, she was apprehensive about changing her life so drastically, but has since opened her own studio in downtown Calgary. She recognizes that McGill engenders a space of high expectations, and in hindsight recognizes that it would have been beneficial to have slowed down between high school and university.

 

“I think I just had some unrealistic expectations, and it’s hard when you’re ambitious and driven, and you want to do everything, and you want to learn everything,” Hussain said. “[….] I really really loved university.”  

 

Universities are based on the desire to learn and grow, yet doing so comes with various pressures. While feeling overwhelmed and uncertain is part of the process, it is also an essential experience that nurtures personal growth.

Arts & Entertainment, Theatre

Charlestown Burlesque dazzles audiences at the Wiggle Room

by Sophie Brzozowski on

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For audience members who were veteran spectators within the burlesque community or regulars at the Wiggle Room, the Charlestown Burlesque, which premiered on Feb. 3, began as expected. After a brief but charming overture of ragtime piano, manager Frenchie Jones sauntered onstage—wearing nothing but undergarments and a top hat—to explain the rules of the night. As instructed, the crowd nervously stood up. With our right hand on our hearts and—for the less bashful among us—our left on our neighbour’s rear end, we took the infamous oath: “I vow to hoot, to howl, to heckle, to drink the bar dry, and to laugh as loud as I damn well please because life is just too goddamn short not to.” And so began the evening.

The Wiggle Room is known throughout Montreal as a destination unique not only for hosting exclusively burlesque shows, but also for its elaborately-themed productions. This was the first, but certainly not the last, edition of the Charlestown shows. The host for the night was the elegant Kitty Vanderbilt, who kicked things off with a fetching rendition of Ella Fitzgerald’s “To Keep My Love Alive.” At once playful and sincere, she explained the inspiration behind the theme.

“The Charlestown came about in the 1920s, and signaled the emancipation of women,” Vanderbilt cooed, pausing for an enthusiastic cheer. “Women were finally allowed to dance by themselves, shake it, and do whatever they wanted!” 

Though not overtly political, the acts did seem to be a subtle and coy nod at the idea of feminine liberation that fuels modern nostalgia of 1920s flapper culture. Later on, Vanderbilt would sing “Tu T’Laisses Aller” by Charles Azvanour—a song originally supposed to be sung by a man to a woman—in a nod to the burlesque’s tendency to ignore traditional gender roles. 

Everything about burlesque is designed to get a rise out of audience members. The staff, the atmosphere, and even the cocktails all contribute to the maudlin, antique-y tenor of the show. Often dancing beyond the confines of the shallow stage, performers would waltz right into the crowd to interact with spectators, even plucking them from their seats and dragging them up on stage. 

The dancers tailored their performance to whatever nostalgic persona they were inhabiting—a sly flapper with peacock feathers for a prop (Aria Deloche), a corpse bride with a puppet as her betrothed (BonBon Bombay), or a retro housewife armed with doughnuts (Audrey Ivory). Yet each performer had a character that went far beyond just the costumes, and every act was a racy mix of dance and theatre—more than just a simple striptease. 

Scheduled to appear the first Friday of every month, the Charlestown Burlesque is perfect for anyone with a fondness for the ‘Roaring Twenties,’ bawdy theatre, sequined costumes, or simply uninhibited fun. An evening at the Wiggle Room is guaranteed to be no ordinary Friday night, and the Charlestown may not be for the faint of heart. It will, however, live up to its promise of giving the viewer a truly immersive experience unlike anything else you can find on St Laurent, or perhaps all of Montreal. 

 

 

McGill, News

McGill’s #LawNeedsFeminismBecause goes nationwide

by Claudia Leung on

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On Jan. 23 and 24, the Feminist Collective of McGill Law held their third annual photo campaign to start a conversation about feminism. This year, the campaign has shifted towards a legal perspective of feminism, rather than on the feminist movement in general. The event saw 100 students participate–a significant increase from the 33 that took part in April 2016.

By getting people to complete the sentence “Law needs feminism because” and have a photo taken with their completed phrase, Rachel Kohut, third-year law student and organizer of the campaign, wanted to encourage participants to define the terms ‘law’ and ‘feminism’ using their unique perspectives. Kohut said she hopes that the photos can act as a medium to advocate for more diversity and inclusivity within the legal profession.

“The legal profession continues to struggle integrating feminism into practice,” Kohut said. “In your first years of law school, you’re often reading early 20th century texts written by men, and although efforts have started to be made to change this, it can still be demotivating at times. Add on conversations about how you ‘should’ dress or what you should and should not disclose during interviews, and when you should ‘ideally’ have a kid if you want to make partner, it is no wonder that many women leave law firms after only a few years of practice.”

The campaign has gained traction and publicity across Canada. This year, law faculties at 13 other universities joined the #LawNeedsFeminismBecause (#LNFB) social media campaign, including the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia. Seneca College is also joining the effort, organizing a photo event for paralegals, law clerks, and legal assistants. Furthermore, #LNFB has also expanded to health care, with the McMaster School of Medicine planning to launch the #healthcareneedsfeminismbecause movement in May 2017.

McGill Law remains the anchor of the growing project by orchestrating photo campaigns with other law faculties across the country, organizing a national forum on March 11, and providing institutional support for a movement that is now growing into an organization.

Kohut attributes the success of the campaign to its artistic elements, accessibility, and timing.

“I definitely didn’t expect the campaign to go this viral, my Facebook inbox exploded with all the messages I was getting,” Kohut said. “People are ready to talk about feminism in law and #LNFB provided the means.”

Ellie Marshall, leader of the #LNFB movement at UofT, knows Kohut through mutual friends and was eager to join the campaign.

“The campaign is still ongoing at UofT, as we plan to have another event later in the year to hear student voices on feminism and the law,” Marshall wrote in an email to The McGill Tribune. “There were about 50 students actively involved in the campaign and many more interested. We’re happy with the positive response and new channels for conversation that have opened up.”

Kohut said that there are days that can be overwhelming, but that her favourite part of the campaign is hearing people talking about their struggles in law school and visions for the legal profession.

“It is easy to get caught in the law school bubble,” Kohut said. “It’s nice to break that bubble and see people coming together from different law schools. People are organizing and it’s very empowering, you know that you’re not alone.”

Florence Paré, a fourth-year law student, said that the McGill #LNFB event in January was well organized.

“Individuals were assigned specific time slots, pictures were taken very quickly and professionally, and other people’s quotes of the day were still on the table, so we got to read a few for inspiration before they were published,” Paré said. “It was an enjoyable atmosphere [….] I thought the campaign was nice and I’m curious to see what will come out of it.”

The #LNFB national forum on March 11 will encourage discussion and collaboration among students and legal professionals on feminism. The forum will explore four themes to help participants to gain a better understanding of how to reshape the legal profession: Feminist legal mentorship, student experience, alternative legal careers, and legal recruitment. The forum will be held in Montreal and profits will be used to publish a book that combines the #LNFB portraits and stories together into a cohesive narrative.

Kohut is both surprised and proud of how far the movement has come.

“The next step is really about honing what’s already been done by feminist lawyers before us and to continue building a strong sense of community,” Kohut said.

McGill, News

Mitigating the effects of the U.S. travel ban on Canadian campuses

by Helen Wu on

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On Friday, Jan. 27, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. for 90 days. Additionally, the order put a halt on all refugees for 120 days and Syrian refugees, specifically, for an unspecified period. Issued against Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, the ban has been the subject of protests around the world.

As complications caused by the actions of the executive branch of the American government unfold, Canadian universities have taken initiatives to address current and potential difficulties faced by their students, staff, and researchers. According to McGill Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Christopher Manfredi, academic members of the McGill community will be prevented from participating in important scholarly meetings in the U.S.  

“We are very concerned about the consequences of the imposed travel restrictions,” Manfredi wrote in an email to The McGill Tribune. “Both with respect to the immediate effect on our students and researchers, who are citizens of the seven countries named in the executive order, […] and to the potentially detrimental and longer-term effect on institutional partnerships and scholarly exchange that are the bedrock of a 21st-century global academic community.”

Manfredi and his team seek to address the implications of the ban and how the university can support community members in need of help. Using an online form, the Office of the Provost has encouraged people to share how the executive order has impacted them and voice their opinions on how the university can respond. Further actions will be decided after reviewing the submissions received from the form, which remained open until Feb. 2.  The university has already extended the Fall 2017 undergraduate, graduate, and continuing studies programs application deadlines until March 11 for students from the seven affected countries.

McGill law students were among the first to take immediate action to help those affected by the executive order. Led by third-year law student Sydney Warshaw, law students went to the Montreal Airport on Jan. 30 to ensure that legal aid was provided to those prevented from boarding U.S.-bound flights. According to Alec Angle, second-year law, the group hopes to identify how many people in Montreal have been affected by the ban.

Students have been encouraged by the Faculty of Law to write letters to the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Immigration, and their Members of Parliament to express their concerns. A campaign for writing letters was set up in the New Chancellor Day Hall Atrium, and the Faculty is considering establishing a legal clinic that will allow students to reach out for information.

“Basically, we want to ensure that the Government of Canada is proactive in dealing with the harms of the U.S. ban, even if our government has no power to change the policy itself,” Angle said. “We were able to write and mail about 100 letters on the first day of the campaign.”

Associate Dean of Graduate Studies Richard Gold has invited international students conflicted about applying to U.S. schools to instead apply to McGill by extending application deadlines for graduate programs. McGill’s law program qualifies students to write the bar exam in a number of U.S. states.

Some McGill students now risk being detained at the border while travelling to the U.S. for fellowships, internships, academic conferences, and job interviews. Concerns were recently raised over whether visiting students would be able to return home after McGill’s Model United Nations (McMUN) conference, held from Jan. 26 to Jan. 29. McMUN organizers reported that all delegates returned home safely.  

At the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Legislative Council meeting on Feb. 9, a motion will be presented to decide whether external political advocacy should be mandated. SSMU will also donate to the Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR) and plans to support future student initiatives in response to the executive order.  

Other Canadian campuses aim to provide support as this situation continues to unfold. At the University of British Columbia (UBC), approximately 30 employees and 350 students are directly affected, according to UBC Managing Director of Public Affairs Susan Dandard. UBC has established a task force with the goal of determining what degree of assistance the university can offer those targeted by the ban. UBC is also working closely with McGill, the University of Toronto, and other Canadian universities to establish a coordinated approach to assist international scholars suffering from the travel restrictions.

“We could provide aid to students, faculty, and staff suffering hardship due to the travel restrictions,” Dandard said. “We are currently assessing the needs of our students, faculty, and staff. UBC’s administration sets aside money for contingencies like this. We are offering counselling services for anyone feeling distressed. We can also help faculty, staff, and student access immigration and travel advice.”

McGill, News

Norman Cornett’s dialogic philosophy of education

by Margherita de Castro on

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McGill University has yet to address grievances over the lack of transparency surrounding the dismissal of Religious Studies Professor Norman Cornett in 2007. Although McGill did not approve of Cornett’s unorthodox pedagogic style, the professor continues to promote his dialogical philosophy of education as a guest instructor in universities in North America and Europe.

Inspired by Mikhail Bakhtin’s “The Dialogic Imagination,” Cornett sought to create a teaching style that encouraged creativity, believing it to be what distinguishes humans from other species.

“I don’t teach [students] for a grade or for a diploma, I teach them for life,” Cornett said. “Once you finish your education here, to what bookstore do you go to get the textbook for life? How do we learn to think for ourselves, to make our own decisions, to make informed decisions? That is the key to becoming full board citizens of our world.”

According to his website, Cornett adopted the traditional lecture format for a more personalized classroom experience. Cornett asked students to write reflections based on the stimuli of a piece of art, sculpture, music, or text without revealing the name of the artist and telling the class not to worry about grammar. The professor would then invite the creator of the piece to join the class and respond to the student’s reflections on the piece. Instead of being graded on exams, students were evaluated solely on participation.

“It gave you that kind of challenge which was really transformative,” Emily Rose Antflick, a student of Cornett’s between 2001 and 2004, said. “[… It] was one of the first times in my entire schooling history where I clearly have been asked without any curriculum expectations to just respond from my authentic self.”  

Cornett invited a string of distinguished guests to attend his lessons, including former prime minister Paul Martin, jazz pianist Oliver Jones, Academy Award winner Ethan Hawke, and celebrated Canadian Director Alanis Obomsawin. Obomsawin, who usually covers indigenous issues in her documentaries, decided to depict Cornett’s plight in her 2009 documentary, “Professor Norman Cornett: Since when do we divorce the right answer from an honest answer?”

According to Rosanna Marmont, a student of Cornett’s last course at McGill in 2007, the opportunity to interact with such influential individuals empowered students and gave them the confidence to follow their passion. Marmont said that Cornett’s courses inspired her to become an artist, explaining that he gave her the confidence to become a sculptor.

“We think that we are not able to be journalists, we are not able to be artists, we are not able to be these things,” Marmont said. “[Cornett] would empower his students. He would tell us  that we could do these things, that our opinions were worthy of being heard. It encouraged us to pursue our path, our natural callings, and to have that courage.”

The McGill administration terminated Cornett’s contract without warning at the end of the Winter 2007 semester, after 15 years at the university. This sparked public outcry within the student community, as seen by the swarm of letters that were received by the The McGill Tribune at the time.

The university offered Cornett a severance package with a non-disclosure clause, which he rejected for ethical reasons.

“If you stand for dialogue, then you stand for always being able to speak truth to power,” Cornett said. “No amount of money could buy that.”

The university has yet to issue a statement on the reason for Cornett’s dismissal. Only current Sociology Professor and former Provost between 2005 and 2015 Anthony Masi addressed the issue by defending the university in a letter to Le Devoir in July 2007. Masi denied that potentially controversial in-class debates on Middle Eastern conflicts played any role in the decision and insisted that the McGill does respect freedom of speech.

The McGill administration’s treatment towards Cornett demoralized many of his students. Marmont cited Cornett’s dismissal as one of the reasons she transferred to Concordia University the following year.

Cornett has not allowed this experience to prevent him from pursuing his love for education. He has been invited by higher education institutions to conduct workshops for postgraduate students, such as the University of Leipzig and l’ Université du Québec à Montréal. He has also translated a variety of French books into English. His most recent publication is a translation of Naim Kattan’s Farida, a book portraying the often forgotten Jewish communities in Iraq.

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